CHAPTER 19
LINDSEY
I stand next to Miller, trying to appear calm, but I can’t stop fidgeting.
Miller reaches for my hand. “Hey. It’s going to be okay.”
I look at him. He’s been the calm in my storm, and I know I wouldn’t make it through all this without him. “What about Eli? He didn’t have to be here for this?”
Miller shakes his head. “Eli is at school, and Mike is with him. This is just a preliminary hearing. The judge is making a decision on the restraining order and advice of the guardian ad litem.”
I suck in a breath and try to calm down, but it feels like a million butterflies are in my belly.Miller turns and stops in front of me. He’s big and comforting, and he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. I promised you that it’s going to work out, and I need you to trust me.”
I nod. “I do trust you. I’m just… I can’t lose him, Miller.”
He nods and pulls at his tie. He seems a little nervous as he pulls something from his pocket. “Here, put this on.”
He’s nonchalant about it when he opens the case, but as soon as I see the sparkling ring inside, I put a hand to my mouth. “Oh.”
I look between the ring and Miller. “What is that?”
He opens his mouth and then closes it, shaking his head. “Do you trust me?”
I put a hand on my hip. “You can quit asking me that, Miller. Of course I trust you. I’ve basically put my and my nephew’s life in your hands.”
He nods, takes the ring from the box, and then slides it on my left hand, fourth finger.
He pockets the ring box and then holds his hand out. “It’s time.”
As I walk with him into the courtroom, I can feel the weight of the ring on my finger. I want to lift my hand and look at it, but I don’t dare. All eyes are on us, but Miller doesn’t hesitate. Not even with the Davenports glaring at us. We walk to the front and shake hands with Mr. Carson, my lawyer. I’ve talked to him on the phone, but this is the first time I’ve met him in person.
He gestures to the chairs, and I sit down first with Miller following.
I look over at Jack and Mary, and a pit forms in my stomach. Could they have had something to do with my sister’s death? Are they really that evil?
The judge walks in, and we all rise. It’s not until we’re sitting down and there’s a commotion in the back that I see Logan, Zach, Skyler, Bree, Aria, Guy, and Ozzy all sitting in the row behind us.
The judge starts talking, and we all sit down.
I try to stay focused.
The judge addresses the room. “Good morning. This court convenes to hear the case of Jack and Mary Davenport versus Lindsey Casey and Miller Brody, a custody matter concerning the minor child, ElijahDavenport.”
“Objection, Your Honor.”
The judge lets out a quiet chuckle, glancing toward the Davenports’ attorney. “Mr. Gable, we haven’t even begun. On what grounds?”
Mr. Gable rises, buttoning his jacket. “Your Honor, we are here to address custody of Elijah Davenport, and I fail to see the relevance of Mr. Brody’s presence in this matter.”
My attorney exchanges a look with Miller. He gives a small nod.
He stands. “Your Honor, Mr. Brody is the fiancé of Miss Casey and a primary figure in the child’s current living arrangement. His presence is both relevant and necessary to these proceedings.”
Mrs. Davenport shoots to her feet. “That’s a lie. She’s manipulated her way into his life. This is exactly what she does.”
Miller stiffens beside me. My hands curl into fists in my lap.
“Mrs. Davenport, sit down,” the judge says sharply. “You will have an opportunity to speak through counsel.” I’m surprised actually. I thought for sure that the Davenports would have paid off the judgeor something, but with the way he’s talking to her, maybe that’s not the case.
